After three long weeks, Yukina and the others finally made their way back to Kirigakure's main base on the border of the Land of Fire.
Kengetsu and the others entered the main tent and dropped to one knee before Kaito. Without wasting a moment, Kengetsu began reporting the mission's success to him.
Kaito smiled faintly and gave a satisfied nod after hearing the mission report.
"You all did well. It's a shame you couldn't kill every Konoha shinobi you encountered—especially that monkey's eldest son—but you still succeeded in completing the mission."
Kengetsu smiled and gave a nod before lifting his gaze toward Kaito.
"Have the other teams you assigned to the mission returned as well, Mizukage-sama?"
Yukito, who stood beside Kaito, gave a quiet shake of his head.
"They haven't returned yet, Kengetsu. Your team is the first to arrive."
Kengetsu nodded at his words, and Kaito waved his hand dismissively, signaling Kengetsu and his team to leave.
"You all should rest and recover for now. According to our intel, Konoha's Root shinobi—and that bastard Danzo—have arrived at Konoha main base. They could strike at any moment. Be ready for combat at all times. You are all dismissed."
Kengetsu let out a tired sigh and nodded solemnly, but Yukina's lips curled into a wide, bloodthirsty smirk that sent a chill down the spine.
'This is going to be fun! I'm so glad I got reborn in this world—there's never a dull moment here. I wonder who I'll get to fight next… I hope it's someone strong… and maybe as handsome as that Konoha elite Jonin I faced in the last mission.'
Yukito sweat drop when he caught sight of Yukina's bloodthirsty smirk and he let out a long sigh.
'She's still a battle maniac… hasn't changed one bit. I can feel her bloodlust has only grown stronger in this war. This little girl is going to give me a headache… I can't even imagine what she'll become when she's older.'
Yukito felt a shiver crawl up his spine as the thought struck him.
'No… I can't let myself think about that. There's a war raging, countless lives hanging in the balance. I have to focus—focus on the battlefield, on what's coming, and find the strategy that will give us a chance…'
Kengetsu and the others bowed their heads in respect to Kaito.
"Mizukage-sama, we will be taking our leave now."
Kaito smiled and nodded. Kengetsu and the others rose in unison, bowing slightly one more time before stepping out of the main tent.
______
With Yukina
A few weeks had passed since Yukina and the others returned to the base, and one by one, the other teams assigned to the high A-rank mission began to return as well.
Yukina stood in the spacious, empty ground, her eyes closed as she replayed her clash with Shinosuke over and over again in her mind.
'My hidden sense still needs more refinement… and I need to train my body harder if I want it to keep up with it.'
'That guy coated his staff with Lightning Chakra so fast that even my Hidden Sense failed to react… and my body couldn't keep up with that speed.'
'I have to remain calm whenever I use my Hidden Sense. The moment my emotions spiral out of control in battle, its effectiveness drops.'
Yukina slowly drew in a deep breath, her expression was absolutely calm as she pushed her Hidden Sense to its absolute limit.
At that instant, Yukina sensed Koko charging toward her. Each step sent ripples through her hidden sense—Koko's emotions crashed toward her like a raging storm, leaving Yukina momentarily stunned.
'...What is this?'
Yukina's lashes lowered slightly as a foreign ripple brushed against her hidden sense.
For a fleeting moment, she remained perfectly still, allowing the sensation to unfold within the silence of her mind.
"These fluctuations… are Koko's emotions?"
Her icy gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly.
"...No. This isn't fear."
A brief pause followed.
"It's urgency."
'This is… new. Until now, my Hidden Sense could only perceive presence, movement, and the intent behind an attack. But emotions…? No, this is the first time. For the first time, I can feel someone's emotions through it.'
Yukina let a faint smile touch her lips before smoothly sheathing her katana. Then, without moving from her spot, she quietly waited for Koko to arrive.
'It seems my Hidden Sense has evolved… how interesting. I can't wait to test its limits in a real battle.'
It didn't take long for Koko to arrive. She was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling as anxious eyes locked onto Yukina.
"Yukina-chan, this is an emergency! Ao-san just returned from his mission… and he lost one of his eyes. To replace it, he had a Byakugan transplanted."
Yukina's eyes widened with curiosity, a small, intrigued smile curling on her lips.
"Interesting… If he truly masters the Byakugan, he could become an invaluable asset in this war. Pinpointing Konoha's ambush routes will be effortless using his new eye."
Koko paused, her gaze sharpening as Yukina's words sank in. After a moment of silent thought, she inclined her head slightly, a faint acknowledgment passing over her features.
"That makes sense, Yukina-chan… but I heard Ao is heading back to the village."
Yukina's elegant eyebrows arched ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise glinting in her icy eyes.
"Why is he returning to the village? Is his condition that severe?"
Koko shook her head slightly in response.
"I'm not sure of the full story, but I heard Yukito-sama has ordered Ao to return to the village for now."
Yukina's eyes narrowed to sharp slits as she mulled over Yukito's intentions. Every possibility flickered through her mind, but not a single one fit. Whatever he was planning, it was beyond her grasp.
'Uncle Yukito… his cunning knows no bounds. His intellect even surpasses Commander Mark, under whom I once served in Afghanistan. This war… it grows ever more intriguing. I can't help but wonder—what scheme is he weaving now?'
She then turned to Koko and said.
"Koko, let's go. I need to check on Ao."
Koko smiled brightly and nodded, and together they shunshined away.
_______
In the main Medical Tent
Yukina and Koko reached the main medical tent at the base. As they stepped inside, the hum of healing jutsus and the scent of antiseptic filled the air, and Yukina's sharp gaze swept the room, searching for Ao.
Yukina's eyes glinted as she spotted Ao sprawled across the wooden bed in the corner of the tent, tended to by a purple-haired medical ninja. A faint, knowing smirk tugged at her lips.
"Haru-sensei… it's been a while. Are you having fun with Fuguki-sensei these days… or not?"
Haru spun around at the sound of Yukina's voice, her eyebrows twitching the moment her eyes met Yukina's.
"You insolent girl! What are you doing here? Get out! I never want to see your face again!"
Ao and Koko froze, their mouths agape, utterly speechless at the way Yukina and Haru interacted.
Yukina's lips curved into a delicate, almost mischievous smile as she noticed Haru's ears flushing red with embarrassment while she shouted at her.
"Calm yourself, Haru-sensei. I'm here merely to check on Ao."
Yukina glided silently to Ao's bedside, her presence as composed and precise as ever, and seated herself beside him, eyes unreadable yet observant.
Ao's eyes met Yukina's, and a faint, knowing smile curved his lips—quiet, yet carrying a warmth that made the cold air between them feel lighter.
"It is rare you visit me Yukina-chan."
Yukina tilted her head slightly, a delicate giggle escaping her lips as she shook her head.
"Ao… you are my friend. I heard what happened during your last mission… and that you've been ordered to return to the village."
Ao nodded solemnly, his fingers brushing lightly over the bandages covering his eye.
"I'll be fine, Yukina-chan. Yukito-sama ordered me to return to the village so Kensei-sama can properly study and analyze my Byakugan, uncover its secrets, and also fix the chakra-draining problem."
Yukina's eyebrows arched in surprise as she heard this.
"Chakra draining problem?"
Haru, who had been standing off to the side, scoffed before stepping forward to explain.
"The Byakugan is draining too much of his chakra… With only an average reserve, he can't keep fighting in this war. Right now, the Byakugan is more of a hindrance than an asset to him."
"That mad scientist is the only one who can really help him right now. All I can do is keep the Byakugan in check—I can't babysit him forever."
Yukina and Koko nodded in understanding. After a brief pause, Yukina furrowed her brows in thought and turned to Haru with a question.
"Why don't you just seal the Byakugan? If we seal it, the chakra-draining problem would be solved."
Ao and Koko's eyes widened at Yukina's suggestion, while Haru paused thoughtfully, considering it for a moment.
"It's possible, but I strongly recommend he goes to see Kensei-san. He won't offer a temporary fix—only a permanent solution. Besides, we need to study the Byakugan to uncover its weaknesses."
Yukina sighed and nodded. Ao returned her gaze with a smile and said.
"Thanks, Yukina… but you really don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine."
Yukina giggled and nodded, then turned to Haru, pointing at Koko with a teasing smile.
"Haru-sensei… how about taking my best friend as your apprentice?"
Koko and Ao froze in surprise as Haru narrowed her eyes at Yukina.
"You insolent girl! What are you plotting? And why on earth should I take her as my apprentice?"
Yukina shrugged lightly, her sweet smile—forcing Haru to instinctively put her guard up.
"Why would I scheme against you? Koko's a genjutsu specialist—her chakra control is flawless. If she masters medical ninjutsu under your guidance as well, she could become Kirigakure's ultimate support ninja. Don't you agree?"
Haru's eyes widened at Yukina's words, and she paused, deep in thought. Yukina then approached him, a gentle smile gracing her face.
"Come closer… I have something interesting to tell you."
Haru leaned in, curiosity sparkling in her eyes, as Yukina whispered softly into her ear.
"If you take Koko as your apprentice… I might just ask Fuguki-sensei to have a little fun with you. Just imagine how mischievous he could be… and how much fun you'd have when he's being so naughty with you in bed."
Haru's face burned crimson at Yukina's words, her mind betraying her with wild images of herself being naked in bed with Fuguki while they are having fun together.
She snapped at Yukina, her face burning crimson with embarrassment, and hastily pointed toward the tent's exit.
"Get out of here right now, you demoness!"
Yukina pouted cutely at Haru, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Aww, Haru-sensei, you're being so mean to me~" Yukina puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout before giggling softly. "Oh well, forget about it Koko. When we get back to the village, I'll just ask my aunt to teach you medical ninjutsu instead~"
Haru's eyes narrowed at once, and she raised a finger to point directly at Koko.
"From this day forward, you will remain here… as my apprentice."
Koko's eyes widened in surprise at those words, while Haru turned a sharp, narrowed gaze toward Yukina.
"Don't forget what you just said to me, you demoness. You'd better keep your word."
Yukina let out a soft giggle and nodded cheerfully.
"Don't worry, I always keep my words, Haru-sensei."
With a playful toss of her long black hair, Yukina turned and slipped out of the tent.
________
At Kirigakure main tent.
The air inside the main tent felt stifling, pressing down on Kaito, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Yukito, Zangetsu, and Kaza, making every breath a struggle.
Fuguki's eyes narrowed into sharp slits as his gaze bore into Yukito, every word he spoke laced with a cold, simmering fury.
"They failed to poison their food supply… and according to the latest intel, Konoha and Sunagakure are negotiating a new treaty. If they form an alliance, things are going to get very bad for us."
Yukito let out a long sigh and sank to the ground. With a small stick, he began etching the lines of a shogi board into the dirt, his fingers tracing out the familiar grid as if lost in thought.
After a few minutes, he finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying an unspoken tension.
We may have failed to poison Konoha's food supplies… but we succeeded in obliterating every last crate of their medical and weapons supplies they were transporting.
Fuguki and the others leaned in, their eyes narrowing as Yukito's voice cut through the tense silence, each word hanging heavy in the air.
"In other words, we've still managed to strike a blow against the Konoha forces we are facing."
Yukito tapped the shogi board he'd drawn in the dirt, eyes narrowing as he traced a path with his index finger, studying the pieces as if planning his next move.
"If my guess is right, the new Kazekage must be overwhelmed right now after launching an attack on our borders—and those of the other great hidden villages."
"If they successfully form an alliance with Konoha, it will only strengthen both sides… and put us at a disadvantage."
"If we're to counter this, we have no choice… we must forge our own alliance!"
Kaito and the others widened their eyes upon hearing this and Raiga yelled at Kaito.
"Oi, pretty boy! You're not actually serious, are you?!"
Yukito sighed and looked seriously at Raiga.
"I'm very serious, Raiga-senpai! The only reason we're holding our ground in this war is because Konoha is stretched across four fronts!"
"If Sunagakure succeeds in forming an alliance with Konoha, things are going to get much worse for us. Konoha will have more troops at their disposal, and Sunagakure will fight by their side."
Fuguki listened intently to Yukito explaination. Then, turning to Kaito, he asked.
"Mizukage-sama, what do you think?"
Kaito was quiet for a long moment, his gaze fixed somewhere distant. Finally, he parted his lips and said, his voice low but steady:
"I agree with Yukito. We need an alliance, but Iwagakure is out of the question—that fence-sitter would betray us in a heartbeat. Besides, our history with them is… far from clean."
"Our best option at the moment is to form an alliance with Kumogakure."
Goro's brow furrowed, a puzzled look crossing his face as he asked.
"Why is that, Mizukage-sama?"
A sly smile curved Kaito's lips as he leaned forward, ready to explain.
"We've never had any bad blood with Kumogakure. They respect strength—and if we show them our sincerity, they'll agree to an alliance."
Kaito grabbed an empty scroll and began writing swiftly. When he finished, he pressed the Mizukage seal onto it and tossed the scroll to Fuguki with a precise flick of his wrist.
Fuguki instinctively caught the scroll, his eyes meeting Kaito's—sharp and commanding, radiating unwavering authority.
"Fuguki, you're to deliver this scroll to the Raikage. Gather a team of chunin and set out immediately—this mission cannot wait."
Fuguki nodded obediently, then vanished from sight with a swift shunshin.
Kaito then waved his hand dismissively at the others.
""Alright, everyone, dismissed! don't slack off —Konoha could strike at any moment!"
"Right."
________